Prospects, healthier defense excite Boudreau

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau says the club realistically has three roster spots it will be trying to fill during its abbreviated training camp this week. He believes several prospects might be good fits. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ANAHEIM – Having more time on your hands than one is accustomed often makes the mind wander. And then the people around you begin to wonder.

Let's just say that all those who work in Honda Center offices have gotten to know Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau much better over the past few months.

"They'll tell you I get bored," Boudreau said. "During the lockout, I'd walk and run to say 'Hi' to everybody. I was so bored. I couldn't just sit here at the computer all day."

Perhaps no one is more thrilled to see the 119-day work stoppage end than Boudreau, a self-professed hockey lifer who might be most comfortable when he's on the ice. He's now putting in long hours instead being done at noon each day.

"I feel like I've put in an honest day's work," Boudreau said with a tone or relief. "That's good."

As training camp is finally set to open today, the 58-year-old bench boss sat down with the Register and talked about getting back to work and other upcoming topics:

Q: What is it like to regain a sense of normalcy after this lengthy work stoppage?

A: The coaches, we're just like every hockey fan. We get in here. We turn the computers on. We see what would happen. Oh, there's a proposal and we'd be getting really high. It's going to start. We'd better do more today. Then all of a sudden, it goes down the toilet and you go, 'OK, now what?'

Q: You still won't run a full Ducks training camp until next September? Do you lament that?

A: "The big unfortunate thing about that with me is you'd like to see everybody in the organization and talk to everybody. So the organization knows who you are. That's the great reason in going down to Norfolk for training camp and the two other visits I've gone down. So you get to know the organization well. But the guys that are going to be here, I know them all pretty confidently."

Q: Do you plan to have a scrimmage in camp?

A: The way it is right now, we will have it the fifth day of camp. And I've gone one, two, three, four, five, because it's still not set in stone what day we're starting. But Day 5, we will have a full scrimmage. We'll probably have 26 players here.

Q: Were there some guys during your time scouting the AHL's Norfolk Admirals last weekend that jumped out to you?

A: There were some pleasant surprises. I don't know if they're coming up. But I really think that for the future, that Sami Vatanen is going to be a good player up here. His mobility is really good. His awareness on the ice is really good. I thought the skill set of Peter Holland ... I finally got the chance to really see him. When he's got the puck, he's in control. He knows very well what he's doing. (Kyle) Palmieri, who hasn't had his greatest year to start, had a really good of weekend in games two and three, I thought. Jordan Hendry plays a lot. Nate Guenin plays a lot on defense there. Patrick Maroon did, I think, a real stellar job below the circles. So these are guys that I'll probably be talking to Murph (GM Bob Murray) about when it's all said and done."

Q: Realistically, how many spots on the Ducks are open for competition?

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